Heading to London for a weekend? Here are some beauty highlights …
Main featured image via @LibertyLondon @LibertyBeautyTeam.
Get hooked on Jones Road
There’s always a good buzz in the Liberty beauty hall, where brands like Le Labo, Tata Harper and Biologique Recherche share an elegant space. But the busiest counter on our visit was Jones Road, where the foundation (€41) is flying out of store – they are currently sold out and awaiting yet another restock. We anticipate that the brand will come here soon (and let’s hope the prices stay the same, too, and not hiked). And that’s good news especially for those aged 45+ – the formulas are designed to enhance mature skin and add glow. I dashed on the foundation and found it excellent – it’s made with lots of oils, so genuinely enhances glow, while melting into skin well and giving a decent veil of colour to even out your tone. The lipbalms, very close to those in founder Bobbi Brown’s original range, are also selling well, as are the Miracle Balms, colour highlighters and blush shades that melt in. You just need to arm yourself with spatulas to keep the pots all hygienic. All quick and easy to use, this is make-up we want to wear right now. Clever Bobbi. www.jonesroadbeauty.com.
Get a brilliant blowdry at Daniel Galvin in Selfridges
This light-filled, chic studio in the heart of Selfridges (head for the active wear and lingerie section, bypassing the overpriced Skims range) is the insider’s destination of choice when it comes to a blowdry to beat the rest. The Galvin family have long been hair kings in the capital, and have various salons round town. If you want a colour refresh, Louise Galvin’s spot in W1 is a mecca for blondes, including famous ones such as Sophie Dahl. But for a swift, sophisticated blowdry, the Selfridges salon is one of the best in town, using the luxurious Oribe range. Stylist Sykora is experienced and friendly, and you’ll leave with spring in your step. Blowdry from £53stg. Body Studio on 3, Selfridges, 400 Oxford St; www.selfridges.com.
Discover a new perfume
From the full range of Dries Van Noten perfumes and lipsticks that’s drawing the crowds at Selfridges, to the Lyn Harris perfume created exclusively for Sunspel, there’s never been more choice on the fashion scent front. We love the Vyrao bottles (at Liberty and www.brownsfashion.com), from Witchy Woo to The Sixth, in its spectacular silver bottle – a fabulous gift.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE…
Stop for the best coffee in Monmouth Coffee in Covent Garden (and bring home bags of beans); get there early for cinammon buns at Jolene on Redchurch Street in Shoreditch; go vintage shopping in Brick Lane – the biggest indoor vintage market is a prime spot for treasure-hunting, as it’s packed with Burberry macs, vintage Barbours and long military-style coats; stay at Mondrian Shoreditch for a great location, friendly staff and hidden rooftop pool, plus Voya treatments; beg, borrow or steal tickets for the hotter than hot Streetcar Named Desire, with an incandescent cast including Paul Mescal – it’s heading to the West End, or get a great uplift at an upcoming new production of Guys & Dolls, from March 3 at the Bridge theatre (www.bridgetheatre.co.uk).
